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Sewing Studio

Fashion Fitting, Home Decor & More

Get to know your machine and the basics of pinning, stitching, pressing and finishing as you make a pillow and a pencil skirt.

Increase your sewing savvy with fit and finishing techniques from Diana Rupp of Make Workshop. In Sewing Studio, she'll walk you through two classic patterns - an Envelope Pillow and Naughty Secretary Skirt - using methods you'll use again and again. Create them using patterns from her book Sew Everything Workshop (not included with this class), or substitute with patterns of your choice. Watch step-by-step tutorials on zipper insertion, lining a skirt, adding darts, finishing with French seams and much more.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Introduction & Materials

The course begins with a brief introduction to the Sewing Studio and Diana Rupp, author of Sew Everything Workshop.

30:16

Lesson 2. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part I

While working on your pillow, you will learn about fabric construction, different types of edges, cutting, hemming, seam allowances and how to construct the French seam.

45:46

Lesson 3. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part II

In this session, you will assemble, sew, press and finish your pillow.

41:08

Lesson 4. Sewing From A Commercial Pattern

Diana explains the nuts and bolts of reading commercial sewing patterns and gives you the skinny on sizing conventions, pattern problems and other insider tips.

23:14

Lesson 5. The Mockup: Pinning Your Toile

Diana walks you through all the steps of laying out and pinning your toile or mockup for the Naughty Secretary Skirt.

20:34

Lesson 6. The Mockup: Cutting & Marking

Continuing on with the toile of the Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana demonstrates several cutting and marking techniques and explains how they will jazz up your sewing.

58:59

Lesson 7. The Mockup: Sewing, Darts, Seams & Zippers

In this jam-packed session, Diana shows you how to sew the darts on your skirt toile, install an invisible zipper and sew your side and center back seams.

38:29

Lesson 8. The Mockup: Tailoring & Fit

Using the toile or muslin, Diana teaches you how to make major and minor alterations to your Naughty Secretary Skirt.

12:42

Lesson 9. Cutting Your Garment

Diana shows you how to use the tailored pattern you created with your toile to cut out the fabric for your "real" skirt.

6:04

Lesson 10. Stay Stitching

This quick yet vital step helps to keep your seams intact. Stay-stitching also keeps bias-cut or curved pieces from distorting as you sew.

16:26

Lesson 11. Bias Tape Waistband

Using bias tape, Diana shows you how to make a fun and flirty waistband, a wide structured waistband or a peek-a-boo contrast waistband.

17:12

Lesson 12. The Lining: Sewing & Inserting

While assembling and inserting the lining for your Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana covers everything from fabrics to seams to the importance of pressing.

9:32

Lesson 13. Hem

Hemming made easy: Diana takes you carefully through the steps of hemming both the Naughty Secretary Skirt and the skirt lining.

13:12

Lesson 14. Slip Stitch & Finishing

Put the finishing touches on your skirt. Diana demonstrates hand sewing, the quilter's knot and the slip stitch, bringing you through the home stretch. Congratulations!

28:23

Lesson 15. For Reference: Know Your Machine

This detailed discussion of the sewing machine will equip you with the know-how you need to create fabulous and professional-looking projects.

24:52

Lesson 16. For Reference: Threading the Machine, Bobbins & More

This tutorial is great for beginners, but it is also a handy review for those of you who have been away from your sewing machine for a while.

"This was my second sewing class - the first one was an in-person class. It was exactly what I was looking for. Diana starts with the basics but includes some more advanced skills such as french seams and fitting. What I most appreciated was Diana's attention to detail. It helped me be more precise in my sewing. Even though I am a beginner, following Diana's instructions, I completed a pencil skirt that fits perfect and looks great. Thank you Diana." - DiannamcWest LA

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Lesson plan

2:54

Lesson 1. Introduction & Materials

The course begins with a brief introduction to the Sewing Studio and Diana Rupp, author of Sew Everything Workshop.

30:16

Lesson 2. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part I

While working on your pillow, you will learn about fabric construction, different types of edges, cutting, hemming, seam allowances and how to construct the French seam.

45:46

Lesson 3. French Seamed Envelope Pillow, Part II

In this session, you will assemble, sew, press and finish your pillow.

41:08

Lesson 4. Sewing From A Commercial Pattern

Diana explains the nuts and bolts of reading commercial sewing patterns and gives you the skinny on sizing conventions, pattern problems and other insider tips.

23:14

Lesson 5. The Mockup: Pinning Your Toile

Diana walks you through all the steps of laying out and pinning your toile or mockup for the Naughty Secretary Skirt.

20:34

Lesson 6. The Mockup: Cutting & Marking

Continuing on with the toile of the Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana demonstrates several cutting and marking techniques and explains how they will jazz up your sewing.

58:59

Lesson 7. The Mockup: Sewing, Darts, Seams & Zippers

In this jam-packed session, Diana shows you how to sew the darts on your skirt toile, install an invisible zipper and sew your side and center back seams.

38:29

Lesson 8. The Mockup: Tailoring & Fit

Using the toile or muslin, Diana teaches you how to make major and minor alterations to your Naughty Secretary Skirt.

12:42

Lesson 9. Cutting Your Garment

Diana shows you how to use the tailored pattern you created with your toile to cut out the fabric for your "real" skirt.

6:04

Lesson 10. Stay Stitching

This quick yet vital step helps to keep your seams intact. Stay-stitching also keeps bias-cut or curved pieces from distorting as you sew.

16:26

Lesson 11. Bias Tape Waistband

Using bias tape, Diana shows you how to make a fun and flirty waistband, a wide structured waistband or a peek-a-boo contrast waistband.

17:12

Lesson 12. The Lining: Sewing & Inserting

While assembling and inserting the lining for your Naughty Secretary Skirt, Diana covers everything from fabrics to seams to the importance of pressing.

9:32

Lesson 13. Hem

Hemming made easy: Diana takes you carefully through the steps of hemming both the Naughty Secretary Skirt and the skirt lining.

13:12

Lesson 14. Slip Stitch & Finishing

Put the finishing touches on your skirt. Diana demonstrates hand sewing, the quilter's knot and the slip stitch, bringing you through the home stretch. Congratulations!

28:23

Lesson 15. For Reference: Know Your Machine

This detailed discussion of the sewing machine will equip you with the know-how you need to create fabulous and professional-looking projects.

24:52

Lesson 16. For Reference: Threading the Machine, Bobbins & More

This tutorial is great for beginners, but it is also a handy review for those of you who have been away from your sewing machine for a while.

The instructor

Diana Rupp, Instructor of Sewing Studio

Dubbed the "youthful doyenne of sewing" by the New York Times and a "craft world luminary" by Huffington Post, Diana Rupp is an accomplished educator, author and entrepreneur. In 2002, Diana opened her fashion-forward sewing studio Make Workshop on the Lower East Side of New York, offering a wide array of classes, workshops and sewing materials. She is the author of two books, Sew Everything Workshop and Embroider Everything Workshop, and has her own line of patterns from McCall's.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(151 reviews)

Going over How To Start

by christisc3220739 on July 5, 2015

I think she has gone over the basics really well. I learned to sew by myself but this is helpful for things I did not know.

I think she has gone over the basics really well. I learned to sew by myself but this is helpful for things I did not know.

Awesome Class .......

by rpmchers on July 2, 2015

Sewing Studio" was the first class that I signed up for when Craftsy began! I have since signed up for 26 more, but "Sewing Studio" is my all time favorite. I've made about 15 skirts, some lined, some not. They fit like a glove and I love that I can make them in such a short amount of time. Diana is an excellent instructor because she is easy to follow and understand. This class is great not only for beginners but also for those who are more advanced. I've been sewing for 25 ...

Sewing Studio" was the first class that I signed up for when Craftsy began! I have since signed up for 26 more, but "Sewing Studio" is my all time favorite. I've made about 15 skirts, some lined, some not. They fit like a glove and I love that I can make them in such a short amount of time. Diana is an excellent instructor because she is easy to follow and understand. This class is great not only for beginners but also for those who are more advanced. I've been sewing for 25 years but have learned a lot from her class and I'm hoping to see more classes from her on the Craftsy platform in the future.

Great!!!!

by Judizzz on June 6, 2015

I have purchased a number of classes and I believe Diana is the very best instructor so far. She is so incredibly thorough without being condescending, very impressive. I hope she will be doing another class soon, I will be looking for it. I would consider myself an experienced beginner since I have been away from sewing for so long. I have learned a lot from her. Thanks much Diana.

I have purchased a number of classes and I believe Diana is the very best instructor so far. She is so incredibly thorough without being condescending, very impressive. I hope she will be doing another class soon, I will be looking for it. I would consider myself an experienced beginner since I have been away from sewing for so long. I have learned a lot from her. Thanks much Diana.

What a great class!

by Roseee on May 18, 2015

Great class. Diana is a terrific instructor. She is positive and very very detailed. I am a beginner sewer and really appreciated the bonus sewing machine instructions at the end. I would take any classes Diana teaches.

Great class. Diana is a terrific instructor. She is positive and very very detailed. I am a beginner sewer and really appreciated the bonus sewing machine instructions at the end. I would take any classes Diana teaches.

Fantastic!

by jrehark8171244 on May 14, 2015

This instructor is so explicit and easy to understand. She presents the material in a positive way and encourages a novice sewer to enjoy each step and go slowly. Look forward to more of her classes and will definitely look for her books also. Oh..I am a newbie to sewing!

This instructor is so explicit and easy to understand. She presents the material in a positive way and encourages a novice sewer to enjoy each step and go slowly. Look forward to more of her classes and will definitely look for her books also. Oh..I am a newbie to sewing!